Method for treating hair fibers

ABSTRACT

A hair fiber treating method not containing a fixing step, comprising, applying to the hair fibers at least one reducing composition, free of ceramide, comprising at least one reducing agent; and raising the temperature of the hair fibers using a heating iron at temperature of at least 60° C., wherein the temperature of the hair fibers are raised before or after the hair fibers are optionally rinsed.

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/571,922, filed May 18, 2004, and French Patent Application No. 04 50667, filed Apr. 2, 2004, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Disclosed herein is a method for treating hair fibers by applying a reducing composition and then heating the hair with a heating iron.

The usual practice to permanently reshape hair comprises first opening the keratin disulfide bonds (cystine) with a composition comprising a reducing agent. The disulfide bonds are then re-formed, optionally after rinsing the hair, by applying to the hair, which has been straightened or placed beforehand under tension with suitable means such as cutlers or the equivalent, an oxidizing composition also called a fixing solution, so as to give the desired form to the hair. This method results in the waving of the hair, the uncurling of the hair, the backcombing of the hair, or the straightening of the hair.

Reducing compositions that can be used to carry out the first step of this method generally comprise compounds comprising a thiol group, such as thioglycolic acid, cysteine, cysteamine, thiolactic acid, and glycerol monothioglycolate.

The reducing agent concentration may be very high, often up to 15% by weight, relative to the total weight of the reducing composition.

Nevertheless, such a method may not be fully satisfactory. While it is very efficient to reshape the hair, it may cause great damage to the hair fibers.

Moreover, it has been suggested to raise the hair temperature between the reducing step and the fixing step by means of a heating iron.

For example, Patent Application No. JP 2000 256 146 describes a process to permanently reshape the hair, comprising the application of a cosmetic composition comprising from 2 to 11% reducing agents and from 0.2 to 4% diammonium dithiodiglycolate. After the reducing composition is applied, a heating iron is used at a temperature from 60 to 220° C.

Such a process nevertheless implies a post-iron fixing step as well, which increases the treatment time.

Moreover, the resulting shape is irreversible. The difference between the parts of the hair that have been treated and the hair roots is very noticeable as the hair regrows.

Finally, if the treatment is conducted on colored hair, it frequently causes the hair color to fade as a result of the treatment.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a hair fiber treating method that compensates for at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. For example, it would be desirable to provide a method that changes the hair fiber behavior while limiting the damage caused to the hair, controls the hair volume, and enhances at least one of the cosmetic benefits provided to the hair, for example, softness, shine and ease of combing, while also better preserving colored hair shades. Such a method would also ideally preserve the natural aspect of the hair so as to limit the so-called ‘root effect’, that is to say the contrast between the parts which have been treated and the roots, and also ideally reduce the hair fiber treating time and obtain long-lasting results.

The present inventors have found that it is possible to counteract at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art and to achieve at least one of the desirable results listed above, by carrying out a hair fiber treating method without fixing the hair, comprising applying to the hair fibers at least one reducing composition comprising at least one reducing agent chosen from compounds comprising at least one thiol group, wherein the at least one reducing agent is present in an amount of less than 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition, and wherein the at least one reducing composition does not comprise an aminothiol compound or if the composition does comprise at least one aminothiol compound, it is present in an amount of less than 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition, and raising the temperature of the hair fiber using a heating iron at a temperature of at least 60° C., wherein the temperature of the hair fiber is raised before or after the hair fibers are optionally rinsed.

Thus, disclosed herein is a method of treating hair fibers without fixing the hair, comprising:

applying to the hair fibers at least one reducing composition, free of ceramide, comprising at least one reducing agent chosen from thiols, wherein the at least one reducing agent is present in an amount of less than 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition, provided that the at least one reducing composition does not comprise an aminothiol compound or if the at least one reducing composition does comprise at least one aminothiol compound, it is present in an amount of less than 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition and

applying to the hair fibers a heating iron at a temperature of at least 60° C. to raise the temperature of the fibers, wherein the temperature of the hair fiber is raised before or after the hair fibers are optionally rinsed.

As used herein, ‘without fixing the hair’ or ‘without a hair-fixing step’ means without any additional application of a composition comprising a chemical oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide or a bromate.

The at least one reducing composition may have a pH of less than or equal to 9, provided that the at least one reducing composition does not comprise an aminothiol compound.

In one embodiment, the at least one reducing composition does not comprise dithiodiglycolic acid or any salt thereof.

The at least one reducing composition may, for example, be applied onto wet and clean hair fibers.

As used herein, ‘aminothiol compound’ means a thiol comprising at least one NH moiety.

The thiols used as the at least one reducing agent may, for example, be chosen from aminothiols, such as cysteine and derivatives thereof, i.e., N-acetylcysteine, cysteamine and derivatives thereof, C₁-C₄ acylated derivatives thereof, such as N-acetyl cysteamine and N-propionyl cysteamine, and non-aminated thiols, such as thiolactic acid and esters thereof, such as glycerol monothiolactate, thioglycolic acid and esters thereof, such as glycerol and glycol monothioglycolate, and thioglycerol.

When the thiol comprises at least one carboxylic acid functional group, the thiol may be provided, if needed, in the form of at least one salt thereof, such as alkali metal or ammonium salts. In one embodiment, ammonium thioglycolate may be used. When the thiol has an amine moiety, the thiol may be provided, if needed, in the form of at least one salt thereof, such as aminothiol halogenides. In one embodiment, L-cysteine hydrochloride may be used.

Examples of aminothiols that may be used in the at least one reducing composition include sugar N-mercapto-alkyl amides, such as N-(mercapto-2-ethyl)-gluconamide, pantheteine, and N-(mercaptoalkyl)-ω-hydroxyalkyl amides such as those described in Patent Application No. EP-A-354 835 and N-mono- and N,N-dialkylmercapto 4-butyramides, such as those described Patent Application No. EP-A-368 763, aminomercaptoalkyl amides, such as those described Patent Application No. EP-A-432 000 and alkylaminomercaptoalkyl amides such as those described in Patent Application No. EP-A-514 282. Examples of non-aminated thiols that may be used include a mixture of hydroxy-2-propyl thioglycolate (2/3) and hydroxy-2 methyl-1 ethyl thioglycolate (67/33) described in Patent Application No. FR-A-2 679 448, β-mercaptopropionic acid and derivatives thereof, and thiomalic acid.

The total concentration of thiols in the at least one reducing composition is as follows:

when the at least one reducing composition comprises at least one aminothiol compound, the total concentration of thiols is less than 5% by weight, such as from 0.1 to 5% by weight, or further from 0.5 to 4% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition, or

when the at least one reducing composition does not comprise at least one aminothiol compound, the total concentration of thiols is less than 3% by weight, such as from 0.1% to 3% by weight and, further, for example, from 0.5% to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition

The pH of the at least one reducing composition may be adjusted by means of at least one agent chosen from alkaline agents and acidifying agents. The alkaline agents may, for example, be chosen from ammonia; organic amines, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, 1,3-propanediamine, and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol; alkaline and ammonium carbonate or bicarbonate; organic carbonate, such as guanidine carbonate; alkaline hydroxide, such as soda. The acidifying agents may, for example, be chosen from hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, and boric acid.

The at least one reducing composition may, for example, comprise at least one cosmetically acceptable solvent chosen, for example, from water, C₁-C₆ alcohols, for example, alkanols such as ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol; polyhydric alcohols, such as propyleneglycol, pentanediol and glycerine; benzyl alcohol; polyol ethers; C₂-C₆ esters; N -methylpyrrolidone (NMP); and C₃-C₆cetones.

In order to improve at least some of the cosmetic properties of the present hair compositions, the at least one reducing composition may also comprise at least one cosmetic additive.

The at least one cosmetic additive may, for example, be chosen from volatile and non volatile, linear and cyclic silicones; cationic, non ionic, anionic and amphoteric polymers; peptides and derivatives thereof; protein hydrolyzates; waxes; swelling agents and penetrating agents; agents that are able to increase the efficiency of the at least one reducing agent, such as a SiO₂/polydimethylsiloxane mixture, dimethylisosorbitol, urea and derivatives thereof; anionic, cationic, non ionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants; active agents for combating hair loss; anti-dandruff agents; natural and synthetic, associative and unassociative thickeners; suspension agents; sequestering agents; opacifying agents; dyes; sunscreen agents; vitamins and provitamins; fatty acids; fatty alcohols; mineral, vegetable, and synthetic oils; and fragrances and preserving agents.

As used herein, ‘cationic polymer’ means any polymer comprising cationic moieties and/or moieties that are ionizable to cationic moieties.

Examples of cationic polymers include polyamine, polyaminoamide and quaternary polyammonium type-polymers, which are known products.

Polyamine, polyaminoamide and quaternary polyammonium type-polymers suitable for use in the at least one reducing composition are those, for example, described in French Patent Nos. FR 2 505 348 and FR 2 542 997. These polymers may be chosen from at least one of the following:

(1) homopolymers or copolymers derived from acrylic or methacrylic acid esters or amides;

(2) cellulose ether derivatives comprising quaternary ammonium moieties described in French Patent No. FR 1 492 597;

(3) cationic cellulose derivatives, such as cellulose copolymers or cellulose derivatives grafted onto a water-soluble quaternary ammonium monomer, and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,576, such as hydroxyalkylcelluloses, i.e. hydroxymethyl-, hydroxyethyl- and hydroxypropyl-cellulose, for example, grafted onto a methacryloylethyl-trimethylammonium salt, a methacrylamidopropyl-trimethylammonium salt or a dimethyldiallylammonium salt; for example, polyquaternium 10 (INCI denomination);

(4) other cationic polysaccharides described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,589,578 and 4,031,307, such as guar gums comprising trialkylammonium cationic moieties;

(5) polymers comprising piperazinyl moieties and linear or branched chain alkylene or hydroxyalkylene divalent groups, wherein the chains are optionally interrupted by at least one atom chosen from oxygen, sulphur, and nitrogen atoms or by aromatic or heterocyclic rings, as well as oxidation and/or quaternization products of these polymers. Such polymers are described, for example, in French Patent Nos. FR 2 162 025 and FR 2 280 361;

(6) water-soluble polyaminoamides, such as those, for example, described in French Patent Nos. FR 2 252 840 and FR 2 368 508;

(7) polyaminoamide derivatives, such as adipic acid/dialkylaminohydroxyalkyl dialkylene-triamine polymers, wherein the alkyl group comprises from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is chosen, for example, from methyl, ethyl, and propyl groups, wherein the alkylene group comprises from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may, for example, be an ethylene group. Such polymers are described, for example, in French Patent No. FR 1 583 363.

(8) polymers resulting from the reaction of a polyalkylene-polyamine comprising two primary amine moieties and at least one secondary amine moiety, with a dicarboxylic acid chosen from diglycolic acid and saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids comprising from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. The molar ratio between polyalkylene-polyamine and dicarboxylic acid ranging from 0.8:1 and 1.4:1; wherein the polyaminoamide resulting from such reaction is reacted with epichlorhydrine in a molar ratio of epichlorhydrine to secondary amine moiety of the polyaminoamide ranging from 0.5:1 to 1.8: 1. Such polymers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,227,615 and 2,961,347;

(9) alkyldiallylamine and dialkyldiallylammonium cyclopolymers, such as dimethyldiallylammonium chloride homopolymer and diallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylamide copolymers;

(10) quaternary diammonium polymers having a number average molecular weight typically ranging from 1000 to 100000, such as those described, for example, in French Patent Nos. FR 2 320 330, 2 270 846, 2 316 271, 2 336 434, and 2 413 907 and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,273,780, 2,375,853, 2,388,614, 2,454,547, 3,206,462, 2,261,002, 2,271,378, 3,874,870, 4,001,432, 3,929,990, 3,966,904, 4,005,193, 4,025,617, 4,025,627, 4,025,653, 4,026,945 and 4,027,020; hexadimethrine chloride (INCI denomination) commercially marketed by CHIMEX under the trade name MEXOMERE PO is another example;

(11) quaternary polyammonium polymers, such as those described in Patent Application No. EP-A-122 324;

(12) vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole quaternary polymers, such as products commercially marketed under the trade names Luviquat® FC 905, FC 550 and FC 370 by B.A.S.F;

(13) polyamines such as Polyquart® H commercially marketed by HENKEL, registered under the name ‘POLYETHYLENEGLYCOL (15) TALLOW POLYAMINE’ in the CTFA dictionary; and

(14) methacryloyloxyalkyl(C₁-C₄) trialkyl(C₁-C₄)ammonium salt branched polymers, such as those commercially marketed under the trade names SALCARE® SC 92, SALCARE® SC 95 and SALCARE® SC 96 by ALLIED COLLOIDS.

Other cationic polymers that can be used include cationic proteins or cationic protein hydrolyzates, polyalkyleneimines, for example, polyethylene imines, polymers with vinyl pyridine or vinyl pyridinium moieties, polyamine and epichlorhydrine condensation products, quaternary polyureylenes, and chitin derivatives.

In one embodiment, the cationic polymers may be chosen from hexadimethrine chloride and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride homopolymers and copolymers.

As explained above, the at least one cosmetic additive may also be chosen from silicones.

Silicones that are suitable for use as the at least one cosmetic additive include polydimethylsiloxanes; quaternized polyorganosiloxanes, such as those described in French Patent Application No. FR 2 535 730; polyorganosiloxanes comprising alkoxycarbonylalkyl moieties modified with aminoalkyl moieties, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,732; polyorganosiloxanes, such as polydimethylsiloxane-polyoxyalkyl copolymer of dimethicone copolyol; a polydimethylsiloxane with stearoxy (stearoxy dimethicone) end groups; a polydimethylsiloxane-dialkylammonium acetate copolymer and a polydimethyl-siloxane polyalkylbetaine copolymer described in British Patent No. GB 2,197,352; and organo polysiloxanes modified by mercapto or mercaptoalkyl moieties such as those described in French Patent No. FR 1 530 369 and in European Patent Application No. EP 295 780.

Moreover, the at least one cosmetic additive may also be chosen from fatty acids and fatty alcohols.

The fatty acids may, for example, be chosen from C₈-C₃₀ carboxylic acids, such as palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, lauric acid, and mixtures thereof.

The fatty alcohols may, for example, be chosen from C₈-C₃₀ alcohols, such as palmityl, oleyl, linoleyl, myristyl, stearyl, and lauryl alcohols.

The at least one reducing composition used in the method disclosed herein may be provided in a form chosen from an optionally thickened lotion, a cream, a gel, and a foam.

The method disclosed herein comprises applying the at least one reducing composition as defined above to hair fibers. Once the at least one reducing composition has been applied, it can be left on the hair fibers, optionally under a drying helmet, for a time period ranging from 5 to 60 minutes, for example, from 5 to 30 minutes.

As explained above, the method further comprises, after applying the reducing composition, optionally rinsing the hair fibers, then raising the temperature of the hair fibers, with a heating iron at a temperature of at least 60° C.

As used herein, ‘iron’ means any heating device which functions by contacting the hair fibers.

The end of the iron coming into contact with the hair may have various forms. It may, for example, have a plane surface, such as a flat iron. It may also have a rounded surface, such as a round iron.

The iron may be applied proceeding by successive separated touches for a few seconds or by gradually moving or sliding along hair locks.

All types of flat or round irons may be given as non limitative examples of suitable irons for use in the method disclosed herein, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,103,145; 4,308,878; 5,983,903; 5,957,140; 5,494,058; and 5,046,516.

The hair fiber temperature may be raised at a temperature ranging from 60° C. to 250° C., such as from 120° C. to 220° C.

According to one embodiment, the hair fibers are not rinsed out before heat is applied in the form of the heating iron for raising the temperature of the hair fibers.

The method disclosed herein may also include partially pre-drying the hair fibers before raising the temperature of the hair fibers, so as to prevent any substantial steam development that might bum the hands of the hair stylist and the scalp of the user. This pre-drying may be done, for example, by using a hair drier, a hood, or it is also possible to let the hair dry naturally.

Further disclosed herein is a method as described herein to durably change the hair shape without excessively altering the hair color and/or without excessively damaging the hair fibers.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific example are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention in a non-limiting manner.

Examples

The hair fiber treating method disclosed herein was carried out using a reducing composition.

Tested reducing compositions were as follows:

Reducing composition 1

L-Cysteine 1.4 g MEXOMERE PO 2.5 g 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol qs pH 9 Demineralized water qs 100 g

Reducing composition 2

Thioglycolic acid 1.1 g MEXOMERE PO 2.5 g 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol qs pH 9 Demineralized water qs 100 g

Reducing composition 3

L-Cysteine 1.4 g Thioglycolic acid 0.3 g MEXOMERE PO 2.5 g 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol qs pH 9 Demineralized water qs 100 g

Reducing composition 4

L-Cysteine 1.4 g 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol qs pH 9 Demineralized water qs 100 g

Tests were conducted on colored, naturally curling hair.

A reducing composition such as previously described was applied onto the hair and left on for 5 minutes.

The hair was then partially pre-dried using a hair drier before being treated using a flat iron heated to 180° C.

As a result, the hair fiber showed a good texture, a well controlled volume, a good respect of the color and a long term durability of the effects. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating hair fibers, the method comprising: applying to the hair fibers at least one reducing composition, free of ceramide, comprising at least one reducing agent present in an amount of less than about 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition, wherein the at least one reducing agent is chosen from thiols, and wherein the at least one reducing composition does not comprise at least one aminothiol compound; and applying a heating iron to the hair fibers to raise the temperature of the hair fibers, wherein the heating iron has a temperature of at least about 60° C., and wherein the heating iron is applied before or after the hair fibers are optionally rinsed, wherein the method does not comprise a fixing step.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing composition has a pH of less than or equal to about
 9. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing composition does not comprise dithiodiglycolic acid or any salt thereof.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the heating iron ranges from about 60° C. to about 250° C.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the temperature of the heating iron ranges from about 120° C. to about 220° C.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing agent is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1° A to about 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one reducing agent is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing composition is applied to wet and clean hair fibers.
 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising leaving the at least one reducing composition on the hair fibers for a time period ranging from about 5 to about 60 minutes before applying a heating iron to the hair fibers.
 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising leaving the at least one reducing composition on the hair fibers for a time period ranging from about 5 to about 30 minutes before applying a heating iron to the hair fibers.
 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising not rinsing the hair fibers after applying the at least one reducing composition and before applying a heating iron to the hair fibers.
 12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising partially pre-drying the hair fibers after applying the at least one reducing composition and before applying a heating iron to the hair fibers.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing agent is chosen from non-aminated thiols.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the non-aminated thiols are chosen from thiolactic acid or esters thereof, thioglycolic acid or esters thereof, or thioglycerol.
 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one reducing agent is chosen from thiols in salt form.
 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing composition comprises at least one solvent chosen from water, C₁-C₆ alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, benzyl alcohol, polyol ethers, C₂-C₆ esters, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), or C₃-C₆ ketones.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the C₁-C₆ alcohols are alkanols chosen from ethanol, propanol, or isopropanol.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the polyhydric alcohols are chosen from propyleneglycol, pentanediol, or glycerine.
 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing composition further comprises at least one cosmetic additive chosen from volatile or non volatile, linear or cyclic silicones; cationic, non ionic, anionic, or amphoteric polymers; peptides or derivatives thereof; protein hydrolyzates; waxes; swelling agents or penetrating agents; agents that are able to increase the efficiency of the at least one reducing agent; anionic, cationic, non ionic, amphoteric, or zwitterionic surfactants; active agents combating hair loss; anti-dandruff agents; natural or synthetic, associative or nonassociative thickeners; suspension agents; sequestering agents; opacifying agents; dyes; sunscreen agents; vitamins or provitamins; fatty acids; fatty alcohols; mineral, vegetable, or synthetic oils; fragrances; or preserving agents.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the cationic polymers are chosen from hexadimethrine chloride or dimethyldiallylammonium chloride homopolymers or copolymers.
 21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reducing composition is provided in a form chosen from an optionally thickened lotion, cream, gel, or foam.
 22. A method for treating hair fibers to change the shape of the hair fibers without excessively altering the hair color and/or without excessively damaging the hair fibers, the method comprising: applying to the hair fibers at least one reducing composition, free of ceramide, comprising at least one reducing agent present in an amount of less than about 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the at least one reducing composition, wherein the at least one reducing agent is chosen from thiols, and wherein the at least one reducing composition does not comprise at least one aminothiol compound; and applying a heating iron to the hair fibers to raise the temperature of the hair fibers, wherein the heating iron has a temperature of at least about 60° C., and wherein the heating iron is applied before or after the hair fibers are optionally rinsed, wherein the method does not comprise a fixing step. 